In between hot air ballooning and touring the Azalea Trail in East Texas this spring, I had the chance to eat at some absolutely delicious East Texas restaurants. If you like TexMex, burgers, BBQ and brunch, have I got suggestions for you! Longview and Tyler are both home to some fabulous dining, so grab a fork and knife and let’s dig in!

Restaurants in Longview TX

The Butcher Shop & Bakery

An East Texas tradition and favorite, the Butcher Shop began as a bakery, and has since expanded to include burgers, steaks and sandwiches. Guests take their burgers and fries (which come plain) to the fixins bar where they can pile on everything from ketchup and mustard to the very popular fresh-daily chili. In fact, many people enjoy a bowl of chili while waiting for their meals! You’ll also be hard pressed to leave without trying one of their famous desserts. I can personally vouch for the strawberry cream pie and Russian rock cookies.

Tip: It’s still the most inexpensive place in town to get coffee and dessert. Coffee is just 25 cents!

Specials:
Monday – Buy a burger, get a burger for $1
Thursday – Buy a burger, get fries and a drink for free

So it seems breakfast tacos are a big thing in Texas, and after trying my very first one, I see why. Holy moly, they hit the spot. We also ordered the chips and hot sauce, and if you like a little Texas heat, you have to try the pineapple habanero salsa. It was beyond phenomenal. Mi Casita is one of those “hole in the wall” places you learn about through word of mouth. Orders are placed and paid for at the counter and food is served on disposable plates, but they sure do a Texas breakfast right.

It originally opened as a bookstore with a small cafe, but has grown into an upscale casual restaurant where I enjoyed a delicious Maple Pecan Salad for lunch. After you eat, wander into the adjoining department store-style gift shop for everything you could possibly want and more.

Restaurants in Tyler TX

Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q

Stanley’s is the oldest BBQ joint in Tyler, Texas and even though it has long since outgrown its current location, customers love it right where it is. Stanley’s consistently ranks in the top ten BBQ restaurants in America, and based on how I felt about my pulled pork sandwich, it more than deserves it. It was incredibly delicious, and I washed it down with a Texas Summer Beer made with Deep Eddy ruby red vodka, lemonade and Shiner’s seasonal ruby redbird beer. So good! You can also enjoy live music Monday – Saturday.

There’s a fun, modern vibe in this Asian fusion restaurant where you can dine indoors or out. We sat out on the patio and happily noshed on appetizers like spinach artichoke dip with sesame hummus, steamed edamame and chicken spring rolls, followed by stir fry from the wok. Finally we finished the meal by sharing a pan of campfire s’mores and a gigantic slice of red velvet cake. What a meal!

We popped into Rick’s one evening for some white chocolate bread pudding, and oh my gosh, was it ever delicious! We sat in the casual, relaxed indoor space, but they also have a really cool patio with live music playing Thursday – Saturday.

Cork Food & Drink

Apparently brunch is a big deal in Tyler, so we couldn’t leave town without enjoying it, and boy did we! The poblano peppers are the most popular item on the Sunday brunch menu and consistently sell out, but I couldn’t resist the pain perdu with homemade whipped cream and a mimosa. On my next trip, I need to come back for dinner which is a combination of French and Asian cuisines.

In late March and early April, East Texas bursts into multicolored blooms for the annual Azalea Trail. Tyler TX, a warm and inviting community plays host to the extravaganza of blossoms, and it’s a sight to behold! This year the festivities take place between March 16 – April 1, 2018. I visited on the first weekend of the event as a guest of Tyler, and the azaleas, dogwoods and tulips were in full bloom and more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.

The Azalea trail winds its way through Tyler’s largest historic district of early to mid-20th century residences, many of which were built during the oil boom years, and the homes are nearly as beautiful as the flowers that adorn their exteriors.

Visitors can either walk or drive the signed route, and since there are many residents who open up their gardens for a closer look, I highly suggest you do a little of both.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out one of the most spectacular gardens along the trail, Pyron Garden, which is open for visitors year round, not just during the Azalea Trail. The garden is a true labor of love for the Pyrons, and their passion is in sharing its beauty, so they welcome people to stroll the grounds at their leisure. It’s a magical fairy tale garden, and I’ll never, ever forget how beautiful it was.

Another fun part of the Azalea Trail is the tradition of Azalea Belles. Dressed in antebellum gowns, the Azalea Belles serve as hostesses for the event by promoting Tyler, greeting guests and posing for photographs. The lovely young ladies can be found in the various gardens and historic homes along the trail.

There are still two weekends left to tour the Azalea Trail in Tyler, Texas and I can’t think of a better way to spend some time. Click here for more information, and stay tuned for more on my visit to East Texas.

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